OTTOROGGE,AUSTRALASIANNATURETRANSPARENCIES(ABOVE)
SACRED SITES to Aborigines of central Australia,
the imposingformation called the Olgas, above,
and nearby Uluru, or Ayers Rock, are among the
nation's most popular tourist attractions.A
growing dispute was quieted in 1985 when the
area was deeded to local Aborigines, and, as
agreed,they leased it back as Uluru National
Park. Six of the ten members of the park's board
of management are Aborigines (right). Nellie
Patterson,far left, says, "We've been given back
our Aboriginalspirit."
DefendingAustraliacomes naturally toJosh
PauatjimiandJoe Bourke (left), two of some 40
Aborigine reservists training to guard the north
coast. "It's because they identify spirituallywith
the land," says Sgt. Doug McLean.
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National Geographic, February 1988